Oh, no... I'm sorry to hear this. Would you happen to have a compression sleeve and gauntlet--throw it on there if you do. I think massage is the main way to control flare ups--are you familiar with how to do it? (I'd hop onto Youtube and search for someone demonstrating--many PTs wouldn't recommend doing it unless they've trained you on how to do it, but like you, I'd be wanting to keep it from getting any worse.) The basic concept is that you're trying to urge lymphatic 'waste' back up toward your armpit. (Your nodes have sent out all the little warriors--white blood cells--to fix your thumb, and once they've done their job, they're supposed to get pulled back away from the site (but since the white blood cell superhighway has been compromised, the 'loop' isn't working at 100%--sometimes gentle massage upward and away from the wound and back toward the node center can really help.)

I'm positive we've got ladies here with solid experience with this who can help more.... I just am not sure the ER has anyone around who can help you today.... but tomorrow, holler at your RO or MO and get a prescription for a physical therapist who's certified in lymphedema treatment (I'm positive both have a list of preferred providers they can help you out with).

Damn, I'm sorry, and I hope it's under control soon!!! Happy New Year!!

I, too, have lymph edema in one arm. Advise others have given you are good. Advice I received this week is to not lift anything with this arm and to not sleep on this side. Also keep it elevated when possible. Wishing you the best.

You could also try putting cabbage leaves under your arm pit. They will draw the fluid and help your lymphatic system to drain. I get lymphatic massages and after I sometimes have pain or tenderness under my arm in my lymph nodes, and that is what the therapist recommends to do, I also use a Chi machine before the massage to help the lymphatic system work more efficiently.

Please go to the Emergency Room if you do have lymphedema this could be the start of a infection thats need antibiotics soon .

@A MyBCTeam Member it's Murphy's Law in action, for sure!
Thanks again for the advice! I located a helpful video and did what I could myself. Seems to have helped some already... at least it definitely isn't getting worse which is what I was worried about. Will still call the doc in the morning to discuss next steps, but so glad I found something that I could do to actively help myself today. Thanks!

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